Devotional for week of June 4-10, 2007

Day One Identification

My children each have a section of our back flower bed that they are responsible for keeping weed and grass free. Recently, after school, Hannah and Lily decided to go to the back yard and do some maintenance on their section. I should have paid closer attention. Pretty soon I saw shovels being carried to the back yard and screams proclaiming, “We’ve almost got it, keep pulling.” For some reason, even this did not bring a red flag to my mind. It was not until they called for me to come and assist them that I realized my error. As I went out into the back yard I saw that they had almost successful pulled a nine plus foot tree out of the ground. I hated to shatter their pride in accomplishment but the look of horror on my face gave me away. As I attempted to explain to them that this was actually a tree I intended to remain in the garden they also began to remind me of the instructions I had given. I had said to pull out the weeds and weed type bushes that were in their section. They then pointed out that this “tree” looked very similar to other “weeds” that I had identified to pull out. At this point I gave up and helped them pull the weed-tree out of the ground. Isaiah then came out and asked if I would plant this weed-tree in his section but the damage had already been done. Careful and clear identification is important. God knew this very fact and gave special effort to identifying Christ.

There are at least eighty different identifying names for Jesus in scripture including:

Genesis 3:15 – Seed of Woman

Genesis 49:10 – Shiloh, “He whose right it is”

Isaiah 4:2 – Branch of Jehovah

Isaiah 7:14 – Immanuel, “God is with us”

Isaiah 9:6 – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Isaiah 42:1 – Servant of Jehovah

John 1:38; 3:2; 4:31; 9:2; 11:8 – Teacher

Luke 7:19 – “He that should come”

John 5:27 – Judge

Luke 2:11 – Saviour

John 1:29 – Lamb of God

I Corinthians 15:45 – Second Adam

Revelation 1:11 – Alpha and Omega

These preceding names are considered names that identified the job or ministries that Christ came to do. Scripture also lists names that are much more specific and provide accurate identification. Read Matthew I:21 and identify the name given to Christ and the reason for this name.

The name Jesus was actually a popular name for boys during the life of Christ (you still see some children with that name today) for it was a proclamation of God’s provision. The actual meaning of “Jesus” is “Jehovah is salvation.” Remember that Jehovah was the name given to God and therefore the name “Jesus” stated that they were looking to God for salvation. What better name could then be given to the Saviour! Look at Acts 4:12 to better understand the reason and meaning of this name.

To further identify Jesus as being the Messiah He was also called “Christos” or “Christ”. This is more of a title than a name. It encompasses all that we know Christ to be, our Messiah and our Lord. Look at the following passages to see what specific name they give or refer to:

Luke 7:19

Romans 1:1-4

What is the identifying name that you think of for Christ in your own relationship with Him?

Day Two Connection

When I was growing up we would attend a family reunion every year for my mother’s side of the family. These reunions would usually take place in Couch Park in Stillwater, Oklahoma or sometimes at the city park in Yale, Oklahoma. What really made these reunions memorable was that they usually took place in the middle of July in the hottest and most humid part of the summer. We would eat, and eat, and then if anyone had any energy we would attempt to play a game of ball, or possibly just eat some more. The interesting thing about these reunions was the presence, every year, of a little boy named Billy Joe. Now Billy Joe was always collecting something and usually doing something else that was very memorable. But the thing that stood out most about Billy Joe was that we could never remember how he was actually related to the family. Every year mom would attempt to describe the relationship to us but it usually involved other relatives we were unaware of so we would usually leave without comprehending the relationship connection. We always trusted that Billy Joe was truly related to the family and therefore eligible to collect stuff from us but we never really understood the connection. Relationship connections are important even when we don’t truly understand the connecting parts.

In Luke 3:21-37 we see the connection of Jesus. What major Biblical figures do you see Him related to?

Where does Luke ultimately connect Jesus to?

In John 1:1-15, John further identifies and connects Jesus. Who do you see identified in this connection?

What is the purpose of these connections?

How does this connect Jesus with you?

Day Three Human

Do you remember, as a child, seeing your teacher in a setting outside of school? You may have been at the grocery store, or even church, but there she or he was…not in their classroom. You probably had to think for a moment about it at the time. This person undoubtedly did not belong in that environment, they were supposed to be in your classroom at school! Imagine, if it is difficult for us to picture people outside of the environment we associate them with, then how much more difficult is it to imagine God being human! This is difficult for those who follow Christ but even more absurd to those who do not know Christ. Singer Joan Osburne summed this up in her song, “If God Was One Of Us” when she sang:

“If God had a name, what would it be? And would you call it to his face? If you were faced with him in all his glory, what would you ask if you had just one question? What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? Just a stranger on the bus, trying to make his way home? If God had a face what would it look like? And would you want to see, if seeing meant that you would have to believe in things like heaven and in Jesus and saints and the prophets.”

Understanding the humanity of Jesus is important to understand and to grasp the true nature and work of Jesus. Read the following passages and list what they tell us about His humanity:

Luke 2:52

Mark 6:6 and 13:32

John 4:6; Matthew 4:2; and Luke 8:23

Hebrews 5:8

Matthew 26:37; Mark 14:34; Luke 19:41; and John 11:35

Matthew 4:1 and Hebrews 2:18

Hebrews 4:15

Matthew 27:50 and Romans 5:6

What does the fact that Jesus experienced the same human experience that you experience mean to you as you relate to Him?

Day Four Divine

It is said that Sam Walton, the founder of Wal-Mart, was indistinguishable if you were to see him around his home town in Arkansas. Here, you had a man that had built a global empire that set the bar for most all consumer stores and had amassed a fortune, blending it with those who had next to nothing. He is said to have continued to drive the same old beat up pick up truck, that he had most of his life, until he died. This was a man that was known probably around the world yet if you were to see him on the street you may not even recognize him. The story is told of the Wal-Mart greeter who made Mr. Walton go back outside the store when he attempted to enter with his dog one day. Imagine her embarrassment when she realized her mistake. As the story goes though, he later complimented her for doing her job in a responsible and respectful fashion. In today’s world most people who are of some status do everything they can to make sure that others know about it. Sam Walton was just the opposite; he just wanted to blend into the regular flow of life.

Christ also would have been unrecognizable if you had run into Him in public. Except for the crowds that were eventually following Him, His demeanor and appearance were no different than any other human. But, He was different, He was divine. He was God in flesh.

Look at the following scriptures that address His Divinity:

John 10:30 and 14:9

Luke 9:24 and John 6:11

Luke 17:12

John 11

Mark 2:5

John 19:7

John 20:28

Although Christ was Divine, we are told in Philippians 2:6-11 He “emptied” Himself. How do you describe this passage and combine it with the fact that Christ was Human and still Divine?

Why do you think Humanity, Divinity, and the act of “emptying” Himself was necessary?

Day Five Life Definition

If you are my age or older you probably remember the old Batman television series. Batman and Robin would weekly take care of the villains with their trademark “Ka-Pow” and “Ka-Boom”. We knew very little about Batman and Robin’s past except for the fact that every week they faced evil and came out triumphant. Since that series we have learned much, much, more. Several movies have been released that have enlightened us on the road that led Batman to become who he ultimately became. Other superheroes such as Superman, have also had their lives more fully exposed and explained through movies and television shows. Now this may not be important to you, but around my house, superheroes are a major item of interest. It is important for us to know about the lives of those people and beings that are important to us. This is why celebrity magazines and entertainment shows are so popular; we want to know about the lives of these people.

Knowing about the life of Christ is equally, actually more, important. It is through looking at His life here on earth that God is revealed to us. It is through seeing Christ live this human life that we learn that it is possible to follow God through the trials and temptations. It is by examining how He lived that we can better learn how to live and to live a life of abundance. What would you list as being the most significant aspects of Christ’s physical existence here on earth?

Why do you feel these are so important?

In what way are they important to you in your faith and your walk with Christ?

There are at least five majors in the life of Christ (you can probably add to this list) that need be recognized to understand the importance of His life.

1. The virgin birth, which was foretold by Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14, and then the fulfillment seen in Matthew 1:22-23.

2. The perfect life, see Hebrews 4:15.

3. His crucifixion, see John 10:17-18.

4. Resurrection and Ascension, see Romans 1:4 and Acts 1:9.

5. His promise to return, see Matthew 25:31.

Review these and your own major aspects that took place in the life of Christ. Allow these realities to impact your relationship with Jesus Christ.